How to Turn Any Website Into an App Shortcut With Chrome

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Turn your favorite sites into desktop apps in just a few clicks

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: May 13, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using the Shortcut Tool

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Using Progressive Web Apps

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Do you want to turn your favorite website into a desktop shortcut for your computer? With Google Chrome, you can use the "Create shortcut" tool to make a custom desktop app that opens to a specific webpage or install a website's progressive web app (PWA). These can be pinned to your taskbar or Dock for quick access. This wikiHow will show you how to create a desktop app shortcut for any website on your Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Tips to Turn Your Favorite Website Into a Desktop App

Open a website in Google Chrome.
Click ⋮ in the top-right corner.
Hover over Save and share.
Click Create shortcut…
Click Create.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Shortcut Tool

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1
Open a website in Google Chrome. Chromebooks should already have Chrome preinstalled. If you don't have it installed, you can easily download it.^{[1]
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- Use this method to add a shortcut of a specific website to your computer's desktop.
- You can also use Google Chrome to to create a Google Search shortcut.
2
Click ⋮. This will be in the top-right corner.
- A drop-down menu will open.
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4
Click Create shortcut…. A new window will open.
- If you want the shortcut to open in a new page, check the box for Open as window. Otherwise, the webpage will open in a new tab if there's an existing browser session open.
- You can also rename the webpage if desired. Click the title field and enter the new name.
This is the blue button in the bottom-right corner.
6
Open the shortcut. Double-click the shortcut on your desktop. The webpage should open in Google Chrome.
- If you checked Open as window, the shortcut will open automatically after creation.
7
Pin your shortcut (optional). You can pin your shortcut to your Start menu or taskbar (Windows), or Dock (Mac) for easy access.
- On Windows, right-click the shortcut on your desktop, then click Pin to Start.
  - To pin to the taskbar, open the shortcut. Right-click the shortcut in the taskbar, then click Pin to taskbar.
- On Mac, drag the shortcut onto the Dock, wait for a space to appear, and then release it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Progressive Web Apps

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1
Open a website in Google Chrome. You can use Google Chrome on your desktop computer or the Chrome app on your Android device.^{[2]
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- A progressive web app (PWA) is an app built using technology for web platforms, but has the enhanced feel of a platform-specific app. This is helpful if your device doesn't offer a native app for a certain website.
- While most popular websites have a PWA, not every website will have this feature.
2
Click the "Install" icon in the address bar. The address bar is at the top-center of the page. You can find the Install icon (which resembles a down-arrow within a monitor) on the right side of it. A pop-up menu will open.
- On Android, you'll see "Add [website] to Home screen" or similar.
3
Click Install. This is the left button.
- On Android, this button will be on the right side.
4
View the app. The PWA should open automatically in a new window. This will act as its own application, separate from the Google Chrome browser. You can also find this app on your desktop or app folder.
- On Android, navigate to your homepage and tap the newly added app to open it.
5
Delete the PWA (optional). You can easily remove the PWA on your device if you no longer want it.
- On desktop:
  - Launch the PWA from your computer.
  - Click ⋮ in the top-right corner.
  - Click Uninstall [website]…
  - Click Remove.
- On Android:
  - Open Settings.
  - Tap Apps & Notifications.
  - Tap See all apps.
  - Tap the PWA.
  - Tap Uninstall.

Community Q&A

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Question

Is there any way to do this same thing on an android device?

Community Answer

Yes. Go to the website. Tap the three dot (menu) button. Select "Add to Desktop."

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Tips

People build desktop apps because they can work offline—they're more reliable and enable productivity without the Internet. Web apps require online access to function.

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Another simple way to do this is: 1. Go to the webpage. 2. Click the three dots in the upper right corner. 3. Select "More tools" --> "Create shortcut." 4. Give the shortcut a name and check the box for "Open as window." 5. Click "Create."

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